Peace of the Heart (Cacher Series #1)

Kabanata 29

Kabanata 29

Arms

I was shaking as I typed the number of Asaphine on the cellphone. I don't know what to do anymore. I am panicking and as much as I don't want to trigger my asthma... it looks like I'm heading there! Nagsisimula na akong maghisterya at kung ano-ano ang aking naiisip.

Hindi kriminal ang Kuya ko! Bakit siya hinuli?!

Pilit kong iniisip kung paano nangyari 'yon! Bakit?! Inosente ang Kuya ko! Hindi niya magagawa 'yon!

Sinagot naman ni Asaphine ang tawag.

"For the love of God, don't even try to force yourself to speak!" He shouted the moment he answered the phone. "Please, just calm yourself. Malapit na ako d'yan. Please... please... calm yourself. Worrying will worsen your situation..."

I broke down. I couldn't speak. I really couldn't speak. Bakit sa ganitong punto pa ako nawalan ng boses? Bakit sa lahat ng tao... bakit ako ang napili Niya na makaranas nang ganito? Was I really a pain in the ass before? Am I deserving to have this suffering? May nagawa ba akong masama dati? Sobrang sama ko ba? Bakit ako? Hindi ko maintindihan.

Nawala na sa akin si Mommy and Daddy.

Ilalayo pa ba sa akin si Kuya Wancho?

"Shit! Hintayin mo ako r'yan, Martiza. Please, don't do anything. I'll be there. Calm yourself. Wancho will be alright, the King has already reached out the government... hush... don't cry..." he consoled.

Bakit ganito? Bakit parang sobra na?

"Darrel is the mastermind of all of these... we will put him behind bars, baby. Please, I am begging you... calm down..."

Nang matapos ang tawag ay natulala na lang ako habang nakatayo. Ang luha ay nagpapaunahan. Hindi mapasok sa aking isip ang mga nangyari. Hindi mapakali ang aking sarili. Sinubukan kong ilakad ang aking sarili ngunit sa unang hakbang pa lamang ay agad na akong bumagsak sa hindi malamang dahilan. Gumapang ako papalapit sa sofa... ngunit sa aking posisyon... bumalik ang alaala na sana hindi na lang nangyari pa.

"I'll kill your family if you try to speak about it. I'll kill Alcaeus if you try to seek help."

Alaala no'ng araw na 'yon ay nagbalik sa aking utak. Na sa kahit ano'ng lingon ko sa gilid ng bahay ay pagmumukha niya ang aking nakikita. Kung paano niya ako binaboy. Kung paano niya ako pinaglaruan. At kung paano niya ako sinaktan. Ang boses niya ay paulit-ulit kong naririnig sa aking tenga. Na sa kahit ano'ng iyak ko ay hindi na ako makakatakas pa.

Ayoko na... ayoko na nang ganito... pahintuin na lang 'yung sakit... hindi ko na talaga kaya.

I kept on crawling despite those memories. I reached the sofa and I lifted myself. I relaxed myself and I pressed my hands to pray. In that moment, I felt myself coalesced into a surprisingly new branded person. Tears were everywhere but all that I noticed is my desperation to save my brother.

I never grew up saint nor religious, but God... at this very moment... I am giving you my all. I am ready to be mute till the very last day of myself... just please... I am begging you... guide and protect Kuya Wancho on whatever he's dealing right now. He needs your guidance. We need your guidance. You are bigger than our problem, God. I believe in you.

I pressed my hands hard as tears ran down my face. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nangyari kasunod. Bigla na lang akong nakatulog dahil sa aking pag-iyak.

"This is not what we wanted for our children's future..."

I have seen a light. Then suddenly... my parents appeared. I spotted Mommy crying as Daddy held her shoulders, embracing her. I didn't let any minutes to pass because I quickly ran to their way to give them a hug.